Fracture detection via self-potential methods with an electrically reactive proppant

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture comprising:
 a. injecting a proppant into the fracture, wherein at least a portion of the proppant is electrically reactive, wherein the proppant may be coated with an electrically reactive coating or contains particles of electrically reactive material, wherein the proppant reacts to an electrically active liquid; 
 b. exposing the proppant to the electrically active liquid creating an electrical signal, wherein the liquid is natural brine, drilling fluids, fresh water or combinations thereof; 
 c. detecting the electrical signal with at least one sensor; 
 d. converting the electrical signal into a voltage signal compatible with geophysical survey equipment; and 
 e. evaluating and measuring the geometry of the fracture using the data from step (d). 
 
     
     
       2. A method for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture comprising:
 a. injecting a proppant into the fracture, wherein at least a portion of the proppant electrically reactive; 
 b. exposing the proppant to an electrically active liquid creating an electrical signal; 
 c. detecting the electrical signal with at least one sensor; 
 d. converting the electrical signal into a voltage signal compatible with geophysical survey equipment; and 
 e. evaluating and measuring the geometry of the fracture using the recorded data from step (d). 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the proppant is coated with an electrically reactive coating. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the proppant contains particles of electrically reactive material. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the proppant reacts to the electrically active liquid. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrically active liquid is natural brine, drilling fluids, fresh water or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       7. A method for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture comprising:
 a. injecting a proppant into the fracture, wherein at least a portion of the proppant is electrically reactive, wherein the proppant may be coated with an electrically reactive coating or contains particles of electrically reactive material, wherein the proppant reacts to borehole fluids; 
 b. exposing the proppant to an electrolyte liquid creating an electrical signal; 
 c. detecting the electrical signal with at least one sensor; 
 d. converting the electrical signal into a voltage signal compatible with geophysical survey equipment; and 
 e. evaluating and measuring the geometry of the fracture using the data from step (d). 
 
     
     
       8. A method for evaluating and measuring the geometry of a fracture comprising:
 a. injecting a proppant into the fracture, wherein at least a portion of the proppant is electrically reactive; 
 b. exposing the proppant to an electrolyte liquid creating an electrical signal; 
 c. detecting the electrical signal with at least one sensor; 
 d. converting the electrical signal into a voltage signal compatible with geophysical survey equipment; and 
 e. evaluating and measuring the geometry of the fracture using the data from step (d). 
 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the proppant is coated with an electrically reactive coating. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the proppant contains particles of electrically reactive material.